Page 9 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)

Ciara’s mouth watered. Her last meal consisted of stale raisins, staler nuts and so-stale-it-may-actually-be-particle-board bread. She hadn’t wanted to impose on Rowan, so she’d been eating cuisine de mini-mart from the gas station across the street.

Rowan held up a small wicker basket. “I brought this for you.”

All resistance evaporated when Rowan handed her the smooth container that smelled like freshly baked bread and sugar cookies.

He could still read her like a horse racing cheat sheet.

“Thank you.” She peeked inside. There was a neatly wrapped sandwich, crispy potato wedges and a small piece of chocolate ganache cake with a thick cookie topping.

Something thick lodged in her throat. When was the last time someone besides Sophia made her lunch?

Do not fall again.

“The cake isn’t from me,” he admitted. “That’s all Grandma Leigh. It’s what remained after my brothers got ahold of it. They couldn’t stop talking about how delicious it was.”

“Everything Grandma Leigh makes is delicious.” Frank stepped forward, agreeing with a soft smile. How unusual. Her uncle rarely granted compliments.

“Frank told me about the rescue horses.” Grandma Leigh rubbed her granddaughter’s back. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing Shannon.”

“Of course not.” Ciara leaned down until she was eye level with the little girl. “Do you like horses?”

The little girl nodded shyly. She bit her lip, darting her gaze back to the horses. One of the mares neighed, and she giggled.

“Shannon loves horses.” Grandma Leigh put her hands on the little girl’s shoulders, squeezing affectionately. “They’re an important part of her life.”

“Can I go to her?” Shannon pointed at Cinnamon, a friendly mare ready for immediate adoption, despite her ordeal. The horse whinnied softly, as if beckoning the girl over.

Ciara grinned. “If your grandma says it’s okay.”

The little girl jumped in excitement when Leigh gestured her over. Her shyness forgotten, she skipped over to the waiting horse. They locked eyes, then Shannon smiled softly. “Would you like to be my friend?”

Grandma Leigh gazed at the child, her expression tempered by an unmistakable hint of sadness. “I meant it when I said horses have been an important part of her life. She suffered a huge loss last year. Her dad…” Her voice cracked. “My son.”

Ciara’s heart shuddered, sorrow for the tiny girl so sweet and gentle with Cinnamon. Fatherless. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you,” Grandma Leigh took another breath, before straightening.

“We all endured a rough time, but she took it harder than anyone. She was barely speaking, and we didn’t know what to do.

Finally, her mother took her to a horse ranch.

We hoped getting away from it all would bring a miracle.

And we got it.” Now her grin was as exuberant as her granddaughter’s.

“We couldn’t believe the change in her. The horses got her through the worst of the grief, and although she’ll always mourn her father, she’s a happy little girl again. ”

Watery emotion blurred Ciara’s vision, as Rowan stood perfectly stoic, his expression unreadable.

The little girl stroked Cinnamon, at perfect peace with the serene animal.

Rowan opened his mouth to say something, hesitated.

There was little emotion in his voice, as he remarked, “She gets along well with them.”

Grandma Leigh’s cheeks turned ruddy. “When Frank told me you had horses at the ranch up for adoption, I was thrilled. I’ve wanted to get Shannon her own horse for a while now, and I’d love nothing more than to adopt a rescue animal.”

Wow. She’d rescued the horses less than twenty-four hours ago, and already she was on the brink of her first success.

Leigh and her granddaughter were exactly the sort of owners she had imagined for the deserving animals.

“That’s wonderful. We have several beautiful horses that would be perfect, some of which are ready for adoption. ”

“What about that one?” Grandma Leigh pointed at Cinnamon, who was showing off while the little girl watched in adoration. A tangle of happy whinnying and childish giggles filled the air.

“Cinnamon is ready for her forever home now.” Ciara reached for the tablet and swiped to the right section.

“She was cleared by the vet and has no lasting consequences of the mistreatment. She’s about three years old, possesses a friendly temperament and will give her owner many years of happiness. ”

“She sounds perfect.” Grandma Leigh winked. “Shall we ask Shannon?”

Yet clearly it wasn’t necessary. They approached just as the little girl whispered, “I already love you.”

Grandma Leigh’s eyes turned misty. She took a moment to compose herself, then gave a bright smile. “I’m ready to fill out the paperwork. Frank told me about the adoption fee, and I’d like to contribute a little more, to help with your rescue center.”

Ciara smiled. “Thank you, but we’re not a rescue center.”

“You should be.”

Ciara froze… as a million possibilities raced from the gate.

You should be.

Could they be?

Something sparked in her, as the possibilities expanded and multiplied, what ifs that could change everything.

Frank – and everyone else – were oblivious to her turmoil.

“Leigh, would you like to have lunch with us? I could fire up the grill.” The older woman’s blush was unmistakable, and even Frank’s cheeks reddened ever-so-slightly, as he addressed the others, “Anyone want to join us? There’s plenty for everyone. ”

Ciara shook her head, as a thousand thoughts tumbled. A rescue center? “You go ahead. I have a delicious lunch thanks to Rowan, and then I have to photograph the horses.”

“I’ve already eaten.” Rowan stepped forward. “I’ll help Ciara prepare the adoption listings.”

Shannon’s eyes widened at the last sentence. She pointed to her new friend, but before she could say anything, Grandma Leigh put her arm around her. “Say thank you to the nice folks for letting you visit.”

The little girl’s shyness instantly reemerged. “Thank you,” she said softly, before exiting the stable with her grandmother and Frank. Thirty seconds passed…

A whoop of pure joy rang through the entire stable.

Ciara laughed. “I guess Grandma Leigh couldn’t wait until lunch. What a wonderful gift for her granddaughter.”

“A gift you made possible.” Rowan’s serious tone sobered her. He gazed at her with a searching expression, as if trying to decipher a particularly perplexing puzzle. “You gave her that joy.”

“Not me,” she brushed off the compliment, breaking his gaze. “Grandma Leigh made the decision to adopt Cinnamon.”

“A horse only available because you saved her.” His deep baritone burned into her. “You don’t even realize how you inspire people.”

He blazed solemn intensity, strong, powerful, all-encompassing.

How had she never noticed how he towered over her?

How massive he was, how broad-shouldered and firm?

She pivoted so he wouldn’t see her flush, strode towards an empty stall.

“So did you. Boarding these animals costs a fortune. You must really love horses.” Why had she said that? Of course, he did.

She knew him.

Or at least she knew who he had been before that last moment, before the day that shattered everything. Now years later, the lighthearted return didn’t come. “I did what made sense.”

Ciara looked up sharply. Grief tinted his eyes, emotion shielded yet slipping through hidden cracks.

Just like all those years ago, words didn’t match truth, belying every denial, like he was uncomfortable showing any true part of himself.

Yet it wasn’t her job to help him. Maybe once, but now…

She cleared her throat, fighting for focus.

She grabbed her purse and removed her cell phone. “Let’s get those pictures.”

“Sounds good, but I have something better.” He walked into the stable office and retuned with an expensive DSLR camera. He adjusted the dials. “I can take the photographs if you’d like. I’m familiar with the advanced settings.”

“Another hidden talent?” she teased. “Anything else I should be aware of?”

“I can usually figure out what you’re thinking.”

Uh-oh.

Current contents of her mind:

Rowen Byrne was frustrating, impossible, difficult, mysterious, stubborn, overbearing and…

Gorgeous, muscular, intelligent, powerful and inescapably tempting.

She fumbled for her notebook. She needed to concentrate on the animals, not the man who dialed a direct line into her mind.

“We started with twelve horses, but Cinnamon and Jasmine don’t need pictures.

Of the others, five are ready for immediate adoption and three are close, so we should photograph them today. ”

“What about the other two?”

She frowned at the two horses in the back stalls, separated from the others for their comfort and protection.

“They need more intensive care, so unless they’re adopted by someone able to care for their unique needs, it will be a while.

But don’t worry, I’m not planning on keeping them here indefinitely.

Finding spots for two horses shouldn’t be too difficult. ”

He shook his head firmly. “There’s no need to transfer them, even if just a few remain. It’s best not to change their surroundings too much.”

Did he seriously just offer to keep the horses?

“I just adopted a new horse, too.” Rowan stiffened, as if surprised by his own admission. He continued lowly, “She was also mistreated.”

Why was she not surprised? He may not reveal it, yet he always helped people, even as a child. Once he took responsibility when a ranch worker’s kid accidentally broke a window. It earned him a spanking, but he’d probably saved the oblivious man’s job. “So rescuing horses is a habit of yours, too?”

“It was nothing.” He glanced away. “Maybe I’ll have her transported here. She would benefit from socializing with others, even if I need to keep her sequestered while she recovers.”